Stickleback

One of the functions of pelvic spines in the ocean is to protect stickleback from larger fish predators. Based on this knowledge, which statement might be a possible explanation for the differences in pelvic spines between Bear Paw Lake and Frog Lake sticklebacks?

• Frog Lake has no native predatory fishes such as trout.

• Frog Lake likely has native predatory fishes, but they do not prey on stickleback fish.

• The food webs that characterize organisms in Bear Paw Lake and Frog Lake are virtually identical.

• Bear Paw Lake has no native predatory fishes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which represents a correct food chain from this web?

• stickleback → midge larva → unicellular algae

• ciliates → Daphnia → stickleback → dragonfly nymph

• diatom → midge larva → caddisfly larva → stickleback

• filamentous algae → mayfly nymph → leech → stickleback

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following would be a limiting factor affecting the population of Gasterosteus aculeatus?

• The average incubation period of three-spined stickleback eggs

• The population of similar organisms in nearby habitats

• The volume of water in the body of water in which the fish lives

• The seasonal variation in the amount of daylight

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Stickleback fish are abundant in freshwater lakes. Their ancestors lived in the ocean and had bony pelvic spines. When Ice Age glaciers receded, streams and lakes were cut off from the ocean. Many stickleback fish were caught in newly formed freshwater lakes. Their bony pelvic spines, which offered protection from predatory fish in the ocean, proved to be disadvantageous in their new habitat. New predators, such as dragonfly larvae, could easily grab young sticklebacks by their bony pelvic spines and eat them. So, over time, the stickleback population changed to have no bony pelvic spines. Is this an example of natural or artificial selection?

• Natural selection

• Artificial selection

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which represents a correct food chain from this web?

• stickleback → midge larva → unicellular algae

• ciliates → Daphnia → stickleback → dragonfly nymph

• diatom → midge larva → caddisfly larva → stickleback

• filamentous algae → mayfly nymph → leech → stickleback

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Consider this food chain.

Alga - water flea - stickleback - pike

What one is the producer?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is the primary habitat of the three-spined stickleback fish?

• Freshwater lakes and streams

• Deep ocean waters

• Desert oases

• Mountain peaks

Which of the following is a common predator of the stickleback fish in its natural habitat?

• Eagles

• Trout

• Lions

• Elephants

What adaptation helps stickleback fish survive in environments with high predation pressure?

• Bright coloration

• Pelvic spines

• Large size

• Slow movement

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In an experiment, scientists observed that stickleback fish in a certain lake have reduced pelvic spines. What could be a possible reason for this observation?

• The lake has no predatory fish

• The water is too cold

• The fish have a new diet

• The lake is too shallow

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4